Milwaukee Bucks lost a close one to the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-100 due to a dud of a third quarter. Kevin Porter Jr. nearly notched a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Anthony Edwards led the home team with an identical 24 points.
Game Recap
Bobby celebrated his return to the starting lineup by splashing an early three, part of several threes that saw the Bucks build an 11-2 lead. He continued to celebrate by calling his own number, allowing the Timberwolves to start clawing
their way into the game. Ryan Rollins entered at the 2:34 mark (!) and promptly threw down a dunk for payback. Minnesota got into the bonus early and found success in the line (which they would not replicate in the second). That kept them within striking distance of Milwaukee, who finished the frame up 29-23.
An 11-point run between quarters helped the Bucks extend that lead to as many as 16. The Timberwolves were fittingly frigid from the field and Jaden McDaniels exited with an injury. Old Friend Donte DiVincenzo snapped the spell before Myles Turner got in on the action, each splashing a couple treys. Milwaukee mostly maintained a double-digit lead into halftime, leading 60-48. For the Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. led the way with 13 points, while for the Wolves, Anthony Edwards had 14 points on π shooting (3/14). If the first half felt like a slog despite its success, look no further than its 25 combined fouls.
Milwaukee came out of the gates quickly, earning a quick timeout from Minnesota on the strength of KPJ. But the Timberwolves would come back, first slowly, then bigly. The bottom would completely drop out, with Minnesota going on a 20-point run that earned them their first lead of the night after being down 16. Nas Reid was hitting lots of shots, Rudy Gobert was feasting on the boards, and Mike Freakin’ Conley was making a difference. Rollins was subbed in at the end of the run and somewhat helped, and the quarter mercifully ended with the squads knotted at 75.
It was an evens stevens start to the fourth until Terrence Shannon Jr. went supernova. That bought Minnesota a five-ish-point lead that they would maintain for a big chunk of the quarter. Points off turnovers reared their head, with KPJ loosing his handle multiple times and the Timberwolves cashing in. Bobby got in on that action too, leading to a three from Ant that had dagger vibes with his team up eight with under three minutes left. There was some endgame hijinks, but this one was done.
Stat That Stood Out
The Timberwolves outscored the Bucks 23-7 off turnovers. That was in part due to Milwaukee turning the ball over five more times than Minnesota. Kevin Porter Jr. stuffed the stat sheet, including turnovers—and while Doc rode his generally hot hand and is trying to stagger him with Ryan Rollins, it was tough to see Rollins with significantly fewer minutes (14) when KPJ racks up six turnovers.
